Wear a tight-fitting mask

Wearing a mask that fits tightly to your face can help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Research shows that exposure to potentially infectious aerosols decreases by about 95% when wearing a tight-fitting mask.  For a closer fit, make sure your mask fits snugly over your nose, mouth, and chin! To ensure a closer fit, make sure your mask has multiple layers and choose a mask with a nose wire. Double masking is essentially giving yourself multilayers (meaning less droplets in/out of your mask) and is a good idea if you don’t have a KN95/KF94 or a properly fitting multi-layer mask. 

Effective mask options to improve fit and protection include:

• Double mask. Wear a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask. The cloth mask should push the edges of the inner mask against your face.
• Per CDC guidance, do NOT combine a KN95 mask with any other mask, and only use one KN95 mask at a time.
• A medical procedure mask with knotted ear loops and tucked-in sides.
• Use a mask fitter ― a small, frame-like device that's usually made of solid or elastic materials and is worn over a cloth or medical facemask.
• A nylon covering, like a buff or gaiter, over a cloth or medical procedure mask.

Remember, the better a mask fits, the more protection you have for yourself and others.

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

Source: Dr. Natalie Jones, Extension Specialist in Family Health

Social media post: We have the CDC’s latest recommendations for masks. We tell you how to ensure a proper fit, how to double mask, and what to do if you’re wearing a KN95 mask. The better a mask fits, the better the protection for you and those around you.